In May 2006, the authors of Game of Shadows were subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury that was seeking to learn the names of their confidential news sources. When they refused to testify, a judge cited them for contempt of court and sentenced them to up to 18 months in prison. Hearst Corporation’s legal and lobbying fight kept the reporters out of prison and added impetus to efforts to enact the Free Flow of Information Act, a bipartisan measure that would shield whistleblowers and reporters from federal subpoenas.

The Free Flow of Information Act overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in 2007 and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.